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Project OPTIMUS: CFSEU investigation leads to the arrest of seven individuals and 50 charges laid

Dec. 6, 2021, Toronto, Ont. – On November 2, investigators from the Greater Toronto Area Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (GTA CFSEU) arrested and charged six males and one female with 50 offences in relation to criminal activity involving drug trafficking as well as firearm-related crime. These arrests, along with the execution of multiple search warrants, were carried out by a team of officers from police services in and surrounding the GTA. This joint-forces investigation was multi-jurisdictional and international in scope.

In September 2020, the GTA CFSEU, which is comprised of members from the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency, commenced an investigation called Project OPTIMUS. During the investigation, groups of individuals allegedly involved in criminal operations in the Toronto and St. Catharines areas were identified. Further investigation led to the execution of search warrants by CFSEU resulting in the seizure of more than 40 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 250 grams of a substance believed to be MDMA (known as Molly or ecstasy), over $84,000 in cash, four illegal firearms and offence-related property such as scales, money counters and vacuum sealers.

“This operation highlights the effectiveness of the CFSEU multi-jurisdictional model”, S/Sgt Henry Tillo, acting Officer in Charge CFSEU commented. “I want to acknowledge the CFSEU partners for their ongoing commitment to expose, investigate, prosecute and dismantle organized criminal enterprises. Additionally, I want to thank our law enforcement partners who assisted by participating in multiple search warrants across Ontario”.